Would this upset you?

[mgordon99]

I purchased a new computer in February of this year. I had a local computer store build it for me. I am a little bit upset over the hardware that was used in the building of this system. This is an Athlon 1Ghz T-Bird machine, and I feel the company skimped on the parts.

Here is what I think they skimped on:

250 Watt power supply (AMD recommends 300W)
20GB 5400RPM Hard drive (5400 on a 1Ghz Athlon?)
ATI Pro Rage 32MB Video (IMO, lousy card)

I have replaced the power supply, hard drive, and video card with my own money. Although they did later exchange the 5400RPM drive for a 7200RPM.

I guess what I am getting at here is to know what you are getting when you have a PC custom built for you, I assumed that quality parts would be used and was mistaken. Better yet, build it yourself, that’s what I will do next.

[Mntsnow]

I assumed that quality parts would be used and was mistaken

Sorry to hear that http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif Didnt you TELL them what you wanted? Or did you just say I want a fast machine? BUT as a custom computer builder on the side I verify EVERY piece of hardware that goes into a system with the buyer PRIOR to building it...


Sorry if this came out wrong as I dont mean any offense M as I'm pretty sure you understand.

250watt. Not a problem as long as the OUTPUT meets or exceeds AMD's recommendations. (MOST 300 watt or higher do but serveral 250's do as well)

20 gig 5400rpm...I would have used a 7200rpm even if the 5400 was ata66/ata100 compliant

ATI...32meg Although not a card of my choice it's an ok card for the average person

btw what did you pay?

[Donkey]

that seems to be what happens when companies adverties the latest fastest processor at an unbelievably cheap price. it is only believable when you see what goes along side your amazingly fast processor, i.e. ***** graphics card, slow HD, crappy mobo, cheap CDrom etc.. you do end up getting what you payed for, no offence meant http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif but it annoys the heck out of me when you go to some computer shops and they recommend the fastest processor to people off the street who maybe don't know alot and then give then rubbish components which will no way match the speed of the newest fastest processor.
Always pays to know exactly what you are getting and specify right down to the thumb screws on the case.
IMHO http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
Rod

[smackdaddy]

Most of the inexpensive "fast" computers are built in this manner.

Why didn't you just build it yourself? I don't trust anyone but myself when it comes to putting together my computers.



[This message has been edited by smackdaddy (edited 04-18-2001).]

[mgordon99]

I do not have good manual dexterity, so I tend to think that if I try to build a PC myself, I will somehow screw it up, mainly the processor-heat sink-fan part. I know that you can buy bare-banes systems that have the possessor already installed; perhaps I should try that in the future.

I paid around $1200 for the system, no monitor. Any idea what it would have cost me to do it myself? Here are the specs it came to me with and what I currently have on it now:

At Purchase:

Windows 98 SE
1000 megahertz AMD Athlon
256 Megabytes Installed Memory(PC100)
ATI Pro Rage 32MB Video
Creative SB Live! Value
ATAPI CD-ROM 52X
Generic floppy disk drive (3.5")
WD 20GB Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Board: 8363-686A
Bus Clock: 100 megahertz
BIOS: Award Software International, Inc. 6.00 PG 02/21/2001

Now:

Windows 98 SE
1000 megahertz AMD Athlon
256 Megabytes Installed Memory(PC100)
NVIDIA GeForce2 MX(CardExpert)
Creative SB Live! Value
ATAPI CD-ROM 52X
PLEXTOR CD-R PX-W8432T [CD-RW]*
Generic floppy disk drive (3.5")
IOMEGA ZIP 100*
Maxtor 5 T040H4 (40.93 GB) [Hard drive]
Win95-98 Maxtor Ultra ATA 100 IDE Controller*
Board: 8363-686A
Bus Clock: 100 megahertz
BIOS: Award Software International, Inc. 6.00 PG 02/21/2001

* did not come with system

[Mntsnow]

Aproximate prices back in Feb (by memory..which might not be to good anymore http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif)

Windows 98 SE (98bucks)
1000 megahertz AMD Athlon (185 bucks)
256 Megabytes Installed Memory(PC100) (120 bucks))
ATI Pro Rage 32MB Video (120 bucks)
Creative SB Live! Value (55 bucks)
ATAPI CD-ROM 52X (46 bucks)
Generic floppy disk drive (3.5") (12 bucks)
WD 20GB Hard Drive (5400RPM) (110 bucks)
Board: 8363-686A (120 ish)
Bus Clock: 100 megahertz
BIOS: Award Software International, Inc. 6.00 PG 02/21/2001

Case (you didnt list) (65 bucks)

Brings your total to :$931 Give them 50 to assemble and another 30 to install the OS and it should have run you around 1010 with taxes (based on utah rates)



[This message has been edited by Mntsnow (edited 04-18-2001).]

[Andy_L]

In January I built my wife's PC, 1G T-bird, Asus A7V, 128 Mb PC133, 45 Gb 7200 Rpm IBM Hdd, Asus 52X Cdrom, no floppy, Guillemont Mx2 AGP card, SB Live Value and 300 Watt P/S for a bit over $900, buying parts from a local shop. I know I could have saved money buying online, but then again a lot of online places won't ship to APO addresses....
I'm NOT bragging, judging, whatever, just giving you an idea what a similar system cost me to build in the Netherlands.

[bigpoppasmooth]

As a general rule. Whatever the "Special of the Week" is, you can ususally build yourself a PC (with some parts that are better)usually from around $100-$300 cheaper. There's you're monitor money.
Don't feel bad though. Chalk it up to life experience and enjoy your PC...and don't forget to sell your old stuff to make up the loss.

[This message has been edited by bigpoppasmooth (edited 04-18-2001).]

[Roy]

There's an old saying ~ ASSUME makes an *** of U and ME. Life uses these lessons to make us stronger. Darwin was right. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[ladyJ8us]

I don't have a system as fast as yours, but it does the job for me since I'm not using it for any gaming. It cost me including a 17" ViewSonic monitor $819. That's with a 500MHZ AMD K-62 CPU, Creative Live Value, Creative 56K modem, Creative Riva TNT 16mb, WD 30g HD 7200, Toshiba R1002 CDRW/DVD, 52X CD/ROM, and Maxtor Ultra ATA/100 Adapter. I personally think this was a very good price. If I'm wrong would someone please tell me. ladyJ http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif